Justification for the extension of Cuba's continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico
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Abstract
The Republic of Cuba formally submitted information to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf between 2024 and 2025, with the aim of demonstrating the natural extent of its continental shelf beyond two hundred nautical miles, measured from its baseline system in the Gulf of Mexico. This action was carried out in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The study demonstrated this extension through the application of geophysical, geological, geomorphological, and geodetic methodologies, including the analysis of two-dimensional seismic data, RMS velocity modeling, bathymetric interpretation, and the development of algorithms to determine the toe of the continental slope, sedimentary thickness, and geodetic distances. The results demonstrated the morphological continuity between the Cuban insular shelf and the deep ocean floor, and identified valid fixed points using sedimentary thickness and distance formulas, thus establishing a continuous line along the outer edge of the continental margin. The delimitation took into account existing agreements with adjacent coastal states, in compliance with Article 83 of the Convention. The United Nations Commission approved the arguments presented by Cuba, highlighting the scientific rigor and conformity with international law of the proposed extension, which strengthens its sovereign rights over the seabed and subsoil and contributes to the advancement of geological knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico.
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